German Empire (1897) Heavy cruiser The Kaiser’s first heavy cruiser: The Fürst Bismarck (“Prince Bismarck”) named after the Chancellor and statesman which unified Germany in 1870, was also the name of the first “Großer Kreuzer, 2nd Klasse”, the first German heavy cruiser. Why “heavy” and not “armoured cruiser” ? Previous denominations of German cruisers had … Read more
Germany (1931) – KMS Deutschland, Admiral Graf Spee, Admiral Scheer The “pocket battleships” of the Reichsmarine These ships were mostly made famous by the Graf Spee in the southern Atlantic, in the first naval battle of ww2, at the river plate in 1939. She somewhat eclipsed the other two: Scheer and Deutschland (later renamed Lützow). … Read more
Kongō class Fast Battleships (1912) Japan, 1911-15. IJN Kongo, Kirishima, Hiei, Haruna. The last Japanese capital ships built in UK: The Kongo class were the first and last IJN battlecruisers, studied from 1911. Due to the 1902 Anglo-Japanese naval alliance, Japan was the third country to embark on this new breed, and its lead ship, … Read more
HMS Canada (ex-Almirante Latorre) 1914 The Chilean take on the south American Naval arms race HMS Canada was a unique battleship in the Royal Navy, and just like the HMS Agincourt and Erin, one of those ordered abroad and requisitioned while on completion when the war broke out in August 1914. Explaining while she was … Read more
WW1 French Battleships France, 40 Battleships (1888-1917) The Design of French Battleships France invented the concept of sea going ironclad back in 1859 with the armoured frigate “Gloire”, immediately answered by the British Navy with the first all-iron armoured frigate, the Warrior, twice her size. From then on, the old rivalry went on under Napoleon … Read more
HMS Agincourt (ex-Rio de Janeiro, ex-Sultan Osman I) 1913 The ‘Gin Palace’ HMS Agincourt was singular ship. Not only became a worldwide sensation by its unusual configuration, but she also changed hands three times: Ordered originally by Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) to counter Argentina, she was cancelled, repurchased by Turkey, and then requisitioned in August … Read more
Italy (1922-43)- 26 cruisers Transalpine Cruisers: Grace and speed under the eagle The Regia Marina surprised everyone, soon after the country was united in the 1880s by its unusual and powerful ships, made by famous naval engineers such as Benedetto Brin. Due to the isolation and weakness of the Austro-Hungarian Navy in an Adriatic under … Read more
70+ submarine conversions 1947-1959 Guppy I, IA, IB, II, IIA, III, Fleet Snorkel The ‘Fleet Snorkels’ to the rescue Although the conventional submarine fleet of the USA was impressive in 1960, most models has been experimental or delivered in short series. The bulk of the active units was still the large, roomy, and battered Gato/Tench/Balao … Read more
Schnellbootes Germany (1934-45) Schnellboote – 9 classes*, circa 300 total +280 ordered The perile of S-Bootes: Called S-Boote (short for “Schnellboote”, literally “fast boats”) and known as the “E-Boats” by the allies (“E” for enemy, and also encompassing R-Boats), these nimble torpedo boats caused much concerns to the allies. Less than U-Boats though, but they … Read more
USN Fighter (1937) The worst USN fighter ever ? The Brewster Buffalo has quite a reputation in WW2. For many, it was “the worst fighter of WW2”. That can be analysed in facts and put in relation to the context of its deployment, and compared to the plane’s actual technical issues. But at the end … Read more
